under British
protection. That night General Merritt, General Greene and the staff
officers were served at dinner by the late Captain-General's servants
in the Town Hall (_Plaza de la Catedral_), the splendid marble entrance
of which became temporarily a depot for captured arms, ammunition,
and accoutrements of war.

No hostile feeling was shown by Spaniards of any class. The inhabitants
of the city looked remarkably well after the 105 days' siege. Trade
was absolutely at a standstill, and American troops were drafted out
of the walled city to occupy the commercial quarter of Binondo on
the opposite side of the river. The government of the city was at
once taken over by Maj.-General Wesley Merritt, appointments being
made by him to the principal departments as follows, viz.:--

By General Order dated August 15, Brig.-General T. M. Anderson became
Commandant of the Cavite district, the garrison of which would be
increased on the arrival of the transports on the way. Brig.-General
Arthur McArthur became Military Commandant of the walled city of Manila
and Provost-Marshal of the city of Manila, including all the suburbs,
his barracks and staff-quarters to be within the walled city. The
Commandant was to take over the offices, staff, and functions of the
late Civil Governor. Colonel Ovenshine became Deputy Provost-Marshal
of the walled city south of the river; Colonel James S. Smith was
appointed Deputy Provost-Marshal of Binondo and all districts situated
north of the river.

By General Order dated August 16, Brig.-General F. V. Greene became
Treasurer-General; Brig.-General of Volunteers C. A. Whittier was
nominated Commissioner of Customs.

By General Order dated August 15, it was provided that within 10 days a
complete list should be sent to Washington of all public establishments
and properties of every description, including horses; that all private
property, including horses, would be respected, and that lodging for
the prisoners of war would be provided by the Military Commandant
of the city in the public buildings and barracks not required for
the American troops. Colonel C. M. C. Reeve was appointed Chief of
Police, with the 13th Regiment of Volunteer Minnesota Infantry for
this service.

On August 16 a notice was placarded outside the General Post Office
to the effect that, as all the Spanish staff had refused to work for
the Americans, the local and provincial correspondence could not be
attended to. This